The U.S. State Department has declared unequivocally that, in order for Israel and Hamas to achieve lasting peace in the region, a transition period must be established and followed.
In recent months, after an Israeli-raised war, the war between Israel and Hamas has escalated. This week alone, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 50 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with more than 400 wounded.
In response to the horrors of this war, the U.S. State Department declared that “any lasting and sustainable peace requires a transition period with an end state that includes Israel’s security and the right of Palestinians to self-governance.”
Moreover, the State Department also urged all sides involved within the Israel-Hamas conflict to “use all available channels to reduce tensions and launch a genuine dialogue focused on ending the conflict and addressing the underlying causes.”
The need for a transition period is necessary if both sides are to be more open to negotiations and the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Through sustained dialogue, all sides can agree to a permanent cease fire, enabling a transition period to move forward. During this transition period, a number of meaningful objectives such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the opening of a Palestinian embassy in Tel Aviv, an end to the blockade and the lifting of travel restrictions should be established.
Ultimately, a lasting and sustainable peace between both parties can only be achieved if a genuine dialogue is established, leading to a transition period that addresses the legitimate grievances of both sides. It is only through this transition period that Israel and the Palestinian people will be able to create an environment of cooperation and mutual respect in the long-term.